Rising sea levels are causing a Panama Island to evacuate

About 300 families populating the tiny Panama Island of Gardi Sugdub—native to Gunas—are relocating to the mainland due to rising sea levels that cause flooding inside their homes where they have lived for generations.

The exodus of the Gunas marks the first of the 63 communities along Panama’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts to move homes in the coming decades, according to government officials and scientists.

The island’s autonomous government realized the need to relocate 20 years ago due to overcrowding. The plan, however, was accelerated by the worsening impacts of climate change.

Efforts to protect the island with barriers have failed against the relentless sea, and climate change has exacerbated the situation, notes the Associated Press.

The evacuation and its impact
Residents will move to a site that has concrete houses and paved streets. Its construction cost the government $12 million. The transition poses significant cultural and lifestyle challenges as the Gunas leave their traditional sea-based activities.

Panama estimates it will cost about $1.2 billion to relocate 38,000 people affected by rising sea levels in the short- and medium-term. A study predicts Panama will lose about 2.01% of its coastal territory by 2050 due to sea level rise.

The move underscores a broader global issue, with coastal regions worldwide, including communities in Mexico, Italy and New Zealand, facing similar threats from the rising sea.